Happy 2016 Everyone!

01 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in Bearnaise Sauce, Boise Farmers Market, Captain's Shack, Classic Cuisines, Classic Sauces, Dinner With Robin, Green Salad, Herbs, Idaho Eggs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Lamb, Idaho Wine, Idaho's Bounty, Lamb, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Meadowlark Farms, Photos By: Bob Young, Pinot Noir, Salads, Snake River AVA, Special Dinners, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wines - Idaho

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Grand Marnier, lamb, New Year Dinner

And to say Good-Bye to 2015 and Hello 2016, how about a nice dinner consisting of Felzien Lamb Chops with Bearnaise Sauce, Poached Green Beans and a Spinach Salad with Micro Greens, Carrots and Tomatoes that was topped with a wonderful Champagne Pear Vinaigrette. And the perfect – and it was perfect – match of wine with dinner – 1997 Indian Creek Winery Pinot Noir. It paired better than some new 2013 Ravenswood Winery Old Vine Zinfandel. Now that’s saying something! And it has been said that Idaho can not make a good wine. Think again! Then for dessert, wonderful sliced Fresh Strawberries with Grand Marnier Whipped Cream (Sorry for the poor photo of the dessert). And the very perfect dinner partner, the love of my life, Robin! Love to make these dinners for her. Here’s to another great year, Honey! Cheers!

Braised Felzien Lamb Chops Poached Green Beans SApinach Salad with tomatoes, micro greens and carrots Champagne Pear Dressing

Braised Felzien Lamb Chops
Poached Green Beans
Spinach Salad
with
tomatoes, micro greens and carrots
Champagne Pear Dressing
1997 Indian Creek Winery Pinot Noir

1997 Indian Creek Winery Pinot Noir

Fresh Strawberries
with
Grand Marnier Whipped Cream

Happy New Year Everyone!
and
Thanks to the 86067 people Who We Reach Through Our Blog!

Wonderful Christmas Dinner!

26 Saturday Dec 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in 4 Hour Goose, Appetizers, Captain's Shack, Dessert, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Goose, Herbs, Herbs and Spices, Idaho Wine, Indian Creek Winery, Joseph Swan Vineyards, Local Farmers Markets, Meadowlark Farms, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Special Dinners, Special Events, What's For Dinner?

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Christmas goose, tiramisu

(I just love this photo of Robin. It’s my wallpaper for my IPhone!) And everyone was here for dinner! Marnie, Mac, Sophia, Chris, Robin and me. Good food! Good wine! Great time! And the goose came out superbly. Moist. Crispy skin. Great flavor. Fresh goose from Meadowlark Farms (Janie Burns) in Nampa, ID. Robin spent a lot of time on the appetizers – the Christmas Tree Vegetable Platter, the different dips – Caramelized Onion and fresh Ranch Dressing! And then she made a wonderful Crepe Tiramisu. How good is that? Every thing was well worth the two loads of dishes.
Here are some photos of the dinner that we had. Please enjoy them as much as we enjoyed the preparation and devouring the meal. Great to hear all the laughter around the table. Left Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.

Robin made this awesome Christmas Tree Veggie Spread. ()The initial idea came from my Neice, Meg Devine! Thanks Meg.)

Robin made this awesome Christmas Tree Veggie Tree. (The initial idea came from my Neice, Meg Devine! Thanks Meg.) Robin also made an awesome Caramelized Onion Dip and Housemade Ranch Dressing for the veggies.

Good wines with dinner. The best of the reds was the Swan. The Indian Creek was good, but a lot of the fruit was gone.

Housemade Sauerkraut with Green Apples and Dried Corn.

Mac made these awesome rolls.

The goose, from Meadowlark Farms in Nampa, ID. was superb. Moist and done perfectly. Stuffed with Chestnut Stuffing. Delicious. Gravy made from the goose drippings.

For dessert, Robin spent several hours making this Crepe Tiramisu. Oh so yummy!

Want a slice of the tiramisu?

Weekend Specials at Parma Ridge Winery

03 Thursday Dec 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Beef, Biscuits and Gravy, Bistro, Eggs Poached, Idaho Beef, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Potatoes, Idaho Wine, Local Markets, Parma Ridge Specials, Parma Ridge Winery Bistro, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Salads, Sliders, What's For Dinner?, Wines - Idaho

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biscuits and gravy, bistro, Parma Ridge Winery, salad

Here is the latest from Parma Ridge Winery. Great weekend specials!

Join us for delicious food, a glass of wine and a beautiful view. Check out our specials this weekend!

Friday Happy Hour Specials from 4-7 p.m. with purchase of glass of wine or beer:
2 Sliders with Rosemary Truffle Fries: Pork, Mesquite Ground Beef, “Triple B“ or “Deluxe” – $6.50
Chargrilled Kielbasa on Pretzel Bun with Black Cherry BBQ sauce, Deli Mustard and Caramelized Onions – $5.95
Personal size Flatbread: BBQ Pork, Grilled Chicken, “The Patricia,” or Pepperoni – $5.95

Ridge House Salad: Mixed greens with apple cider vinaigrette, Bleu Cheese and poached pear – $5

Basket of Rosemary Garlic Truffle Fries with House-made aioli – $5
Sunday Only, in addition to our regular menu items, you can choose from:
Bacon, Egg and Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich with Cheesy Bacon Fries – $5.95

Best Ever Biscuits and Gravy with a Fried Egg – $6.95

Slow Braised Beef Short Rib over Mashed Potatoes with Grilled Asparagus and Fresh Baked Bread – $10.95

Now serving our
Creamy Northwest Clam Chowder
all weekend!

Try our Desserts:
Viognier Poached Pear – Brown Butter Sautéed Pears with a hint of coriander and star anise deglazed with Parma Ridge Viognier and honey served with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream – $5
Decadent Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Chocolate Drizzle – $5
Dining Room and Tasting Hours are Friday 12 -7 p.m., Sat & Sun 12-5 p.m. and we offer our regular menu all weekend.

We were joined by Bob and Robin Young this past weekend, thanks for the awesome write up about Parma Ridge! https://boisefoodieguild.wordpress.com/2015/11/29/brunch-again-at-parma-ridge-winery/#comments

We are now offering gift certificates, nothing says “Merry Christmas” like the Parma Ridge Experience.

See you this weekend!
Cheers,
Steph & Storm
Parma Ridge Winery
208-946-5187
info@parmaridgewineandspirits.com

Storm’s Deluxe Burger – An All-Beef Patty with American cheese and Old-School Diner Sauce served with Fresh Cut Truffle Fries, offered all-weekend

photo courtesy of Bob Young

Northwest Creamy Clam Chowder with Storm’s Fresh Baked Bread, offered all weekend
photo courtesy of Bob Young

24509 Rudd Road, Parma ID, 83660
208-946-5187
http://www.parmaridgewineandspirits.com
https://www.facebook.com/ParmaRidgeWineandSpirits

Brunch Again at Parma Ridge Winery

29 Sunday Nov 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Boise Adventures, Brunch at Parma Ridge Winery, Brunch with Robin, Buy Idaho, Chowder, Garlic, Greens, Idaho Wine, Parma Ridge Winery, Parma Ridge Winery Bistro, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurant Reviews, Salad, Snake River AVA Sojourn, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wines - Idaho

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brunch, clam chowder, truffle fries

This is such a treat – even driving all the way from Boise to Parma! Superb food by Chef Storm. And wonderful artwork on the walls by Artist Stephanie. Such talents and such nice people. The food is delicious and servings are quite adequate, even to the point of being large. The Storm’s Deluxe Burger is superb and almost worth the drive just for the burger! The House Salad is exceptional with those pears! We started here for a good and substantial meal before our sojourn through the Snake River AVA and 5 wineries on Black Saturday. I want to say that Parma Ridge is probably the first winery in the Snake River AVA that has open seating brunch. Bitner Vineyards has, at times, cheese plates and other meals. Great to see the bistro type winery restaurant. Parma Ridge Bistro – that’s my name, not theirs – is every bit a 5-Star establishment. Just look at what we had.

Part of the Snake River AVA from Parma Ridge Winery tasting room. Beautiful!

Part of the Snake River AVA from Parma Ridge Winery tasting and dining room. Beautiful! Don’t forget to Left-Click on any of these photos to see them enlarged.

The Tasting Bar. The artwork on the wall is all by Stephanie.

More artwork by Stephanie Hodge. It is for sale if you wish. Contact Stephanie at the winery.

Table menus and wine for our cellar.

Wonderful House Salad

The Clam Chowder is superb, although a little salty. I'd still get it again.

The Creamy Northwest Clam Chowder is superb, although a little salty. I’d still get it again. Many clams and good broth.

Parma Ridge Burger. I'd drive all the way from Boise for one of these! Probably the Best Burger around! Aoli Fries and Black Truffle Oil Dipping Sauce.

Storm’s Deluxe Burger. I’d drive all the way from Boise for one of these! (Yes, it is that good!) Probably the Best Burger around! Rosemary Truffle Fries with Mesquite Aloli Dipping Sauce. A house specialty. Gotta be!

A Good Night at the Boise Fry Company

18 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in 4-Stars, Beef, Beer and Ale, Beer and Food, Boise Adventures, Boise Restaurants, Burger and Brew, Comfort Food, Cooking Styles, Dinner With Robin, Idaho Beef, Idaho Breweries, Idaho Buffalo, Idaho Potatoes, Idaho Wine, Idaho's Bounty, Photos By: Bob Young, Potatoes, Restaurant Reviews, What's For Dinner?

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Boise Fry Co, buffalo burgers, vegan burgers

The really are a lot – many, many, many – places to get some burgers and fries – didn’t Charlie Pride sing a song about that? – in Boise, but the Boise Fry Company – Burgers On The Side is by far one of the better places. Fries from russets, golds, lauras, yams, sweet, purple, Okinawa potatoes and Brussels sprouts. And the side burgers from beef, bison (the best ones!) and vegan. Craft beer, local wines and house made sodas are also in the offering. And the kids are welcome, too! The one we went to is on 204 North Capitol Blvd (where Cafe de Paris used to be). (208) 949-7523. Easily a 4-Star eatery. Here are some photos from our visit.

A spacious dining area. Tables and chair or couches.

A spacious dining area. Tables and chairs or couches.

The ordering area and more seating.

Artwork on the wall.

A wide variety of fry dips and salts are available. Help yourself.

Buffalo Burger with Classic Topping (garlic aioli, spring mix, red onion, pickles, tomato) Russet Fries for Two

Bison Burger with Classic Topping
bacon plus garlic aioli, spring mix, red onion, pickles, tomato
Russet Fries for Two
IPA for Two

Pictured are three fry toppings: Blueberry, House Made Fry Sauce and Garlic Sauce. We liked the Blueberry the best but all were good.

It was a good night!

It is interesting to see that they use all “… natural, local and whenever possible, organic products.” The prep work for making their fries takes up to 5 steps and they are then fried in GMO free sunflower oil, which is then recycled to be used in cars. The bison is “… local, natural, grass-fed … We use free-range, grass-fed beef.” Depending on what you are looking for, this might just be the burger and fry place for you. We’ll go back.

Great Sunday Brunch at Parma Ridge Winery

08 Sunday Nov 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Appetizers, BBQ Sauce, Bistro, Braising, Brunch, Brunch with Robin, Buy Idaho, Classic Cuisines, Classic Sauces, Coffee, Comfort Food, Dill, Eggs, Eggs Poached, Herbs and Spices, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Pork, Idaho Potatoes, Idaho Wine, Idaho's Bounty, Parma Ridge Winery, Parma Ridge Winery Bistro, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Salads, Sliders, Special Information, What's For Dinner?, Wines - Idaho

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bistro, brunch, Parma Ridge Winery

Yea! Parma Ridge Winery, 24509 Rudd Road, Parma, ID has re-opened! Under new owners Chef Storm and Stephanie Hodge, the venue has changed also. They are now serving a wonderful Sunday Brunch from 12 noon to 5:00pm. The space indoors is limited in the winter season to about 25 seats. The deck is open in season. Wonderful owners. Wonderful location. Wonderful food. The wine pictured is really a good Rosé of Merlot. Not too sweet and with a little spice to it. It was named after their daughter. You might want to call for reservations if you have 4 or more people. Or visit their website at Parma Ridge Wine and Spirits. From their website, “Tasting Room hours are 12-5 p.m., Friday – Sunday. Now open for Happy Hour Friday from 4-7 p.m. Join us for a glass of wine, a bite of food and take in the amazing view!” Enjoy the creations of Chef Storm and/or the artwork of Stephanie. Here is what we had and some photos of the area. Enjoy! Ranks very high for winery food – 5-Stars! It’s that good! I have also listed it on TripAdvisor.

The sign at the entrance.

The tasting room and restaurant.

View from the patio at the tasting room.

There is a variety of herbs from the garden for the kitchen.

Artist Stephanie Hodge at the tasting counter.

Chef Storm Hodge in his kitchen.

The seating area in the restaurant.

Happy Hour menu.

Sunday Brunch menu in addition to the Happy Hour menu.

Cheese and Salami Platter
smoked provolone, Boursin, dill Havarti, muenster, fresh mozzarella, warm brie and bleu cheese with dry salami and fresh baked bread

Parma Ridge House Salad
mixed greens with apple cider vinaigrette, Bleu cheese and poached pear with grilled bread

Sliders and Rosemary Garlic Truffle Fries choice of Ground Beef with smoked provolone, bacon and mesquite aioli "Triple B" Ground Beef with bacon, bleu chees and BBQ Braised Pulled Pork with black cherry BBQ sauce

Sliders and Rosemary Garlic Truffle Fries choice of
1. Ground Beef with smoked provolone, bacon and mesquite aioli
2. “Triple B” Ground Beef with bacon, bleu chees and BBQ Braised
3. Pulled Pork with black cherry BBQ sauce

Best Ever Biscuits and Gravy with a Fried Egg

Slow Braised Beef Short Ribs
rosemary mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, homemade bread

Great Night at Richard’s Cafe Vicino in Boise

04 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Appetizers, Boise Farmers Market, Boise Food Adventures, Boise Restaurants, Buffalo, Buy Idaho, Chef Richard Langston, Cinder Wines, Classic Cuisines, Dinner With Robin, Dinner With The Winemaker, Duck, Gumbo, Healthy Eating, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Wine, Idaho's Bounty, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, New Orleans Food, Oysters, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurant Reviews, Restaurants To Try, Seafood, Shrimp, Special Dinners, Special Events, Squash, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners, Wines - Idaho

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buffalo, Chef Richard Langston

Actually, this restaurant used to be Cafe Vicino’s. Now it is known as Richard’s Cafe Vicino, owned and operated by Chef Richard Langston. It is a superb place to go. Every bit a 5-Star restaurant. Great date night or special occasion restaurant. The food and the service is superb. We were there for the South by Southwest Wine Dinner, featuring wines from Cinder Winery. Winemaker Melanie Krause and Joe Schnerr were both there to describe and talk about the wines. Here is what we had. Enjoy! We did. Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.

The menu and accompanying wines.

Cornbread with Andouille Sausage and Mustard Greens
Grits with BBQ Shrimp
Oysters Bienville

Duck Confit Crepe with Raisin Mole

Crawfish Gumbo

Braised Buffalo Short Ribs
with
Winter Squash

Intermezzo: New Orleans Lemon Ice

Salted Caramel Upside-Down Cake
with
Pine Nut Brittle

Great Visit to Capitol Cellars

26 Wednesday Aug 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in 4-Stars, Beef, Boise Adventures, Capitol Cellars, Dinner With Friends, Dinner With Robin, Food Photos, Idaho Beef, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Lamb, Idaho Polenta Floriani, Idaho Potatoes, Idaho Wine, Lamb, Photos By: Bob Young, Seafood, Shell Fish, Shrimp, Special Dinners, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wines - Idaho, Wines - Washington

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Capitol Cellars, lamb, seafood, shrimp

Really a good visit tonight to the newly opened – March 2015 – of Capitol Cellars at 5th and Main Streets in Boise in the Belgravia Building. (There is also an AirBNB in the building, Belgravia AirBNB.) The ambiance is like entering a “wine cave”. Dim lights; cool air and wonderful Waite Staff. In certain sections of the restaurant, it is like sitting in a wine cellar – because you really are! I have placed a permanent link in the sidebar of this blog so you can contact them, make reservations or check their manu. Definitely a 4-Star (out of 5-Stars) restaurant. My only comments about the food is that the risotto seemed to be a little gummy – undercooked. The crispy fries were not really as crispy as I had expected. I expected more of a twice fried Belgium style potato. Here are some photos from our visit. Enjoy! It is great to see that they use Idaho products and produce as much as possible. This would be a great Date Night restaurant or Special Occasion.

The entrance at 5th and Main in the Belgrade Building.

The entrance at 5th and Main in the Belgravia Building.

Part of the main dining room.

The wine cellar.

Wine cellar ambiance.

Shoup Pernod Shrimp
garlic, shallot, basil, Pernod cream sauce

Cheese plate
specialty artisan and local cheeses, fruit, spiced nuts, port-fig jam, imported olives, baguette & crackers

Borah Burger
Idaho Kobe beef, fresh mozzarella, basil, tomato, balsamic reduction, roasted garlic aioli, brioche bun

Risotto

The Senator’s Prime Rib
Idaho-northwest raised beef, Idaho bake potato, warm horseradish sauce, au jus

Pete’s Idaho Lamb Shank
Lava Lake Lamb. goat cheese polenta, seasonal vegetable, natural jus

Logan Smyser, Director of Operations, shows us how to use a sabre to remove the top of a champagne bottle.

It’s Been A Long Time – Salisbury Steak Time!

31 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in Alley Gardens, Backyard Garden, Basque Bread, Beef, Boise Farmers Market, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Comfort Food, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner For Robin, Herbs, Idaho Beef, Idaho Potatoes, Idaho Wine, Local Markets, Main Dish, Mushrooms, Onion, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Vegetables, Weston On The Lake Winery, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wines - Idaho

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Comfort Food, salisbury steak

Every so often, one has a yearning for “things from the past”. In this case, comfort food. A Salisbury Steak and Baked Potato. Not much more basic than that. Add a good and hard to find Idaho wine, and you are in ecstasy!

Salisbury Steak with mushroom dark gravy Baked Potato with butter and chives Toasted Basque Bread

Salisbury Steak
with
mushroom, garden fresh thyme, onion and bacon dark gravy

Baked Idaho Potato
with
butter and garden fresh chives

Toasted Basque Bread

2012 Weston Winery and Vineyards Murray Hill Estate Malbec

How easy was that? Yum.

Braised Red Snapper in White Wine Reduction Sauce

12 Sunday Jul 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Farmers Market, Braising, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Classic Sauces, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner For Robin, Dinner With Robin, Food Photos, Herbs and Spices, Housemade Aioli Mayo, Idaho Wine, Idaho's Bounty, Local Farmers Markets, Main Dish, Olive Oil, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Recipe by: Robin and Bob Young, Recipe Writing, Recipes, Recipes - Sauces, Recipes - Seafood, Red Snapper, Salads, Seafood, Shaved Celery, Shaved Fennel, Snake River AVA, Vegetables, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wines - Idaho

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Celery Salad, Housemade Aioli Mayo, red snapper, Tuscan wine, White Wine

Braised Red Snapper in White Wine Reduction Sauce – Just a super meal! It takes a little time, but well worth the effort. The actual inspiration came from a Cooking Channel program, Extra Virgin, which has Tuscan roots. They used tomatoes and a red Tuscan wine; I did not. Here is how we made this luscious dinner.

Shaved Fennel and Celery Salad: Cut the root end and the top off of a fennel bulb. Wash and clean. Carefully using a mandolin, shave the bulb quite thin; paper thin. Repeat the process with 2 – 3 stalks of celery, depending on the size of the stalks. You want to end up with about 3/4 fennel and 1/4 celery. Combine about 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil with the juice of 1/2 a large lemon. Salt and fresh pepper to taste. 1/4 teaspoon of Agave. Whip together until emulsified. Pour over the fennel and celery mix.

Braised Red Snapper
in a
White Wine Reduction Sauce

Braised White and Green Asparagus
with
aioli mayonnaise sauce

Shaved Fennel and Celery Salad

2009 Cold Springs Winery Riesling

Braised White and Green Asparagus: Remove the woody ends of the asparagus. In about 1 Tablespoon of garlic infused olive oil, braise the asparagus until lightly browned. Place on platter and add 1 T of the Aioli Mayonnaise (recipe link).

Braised Red Snapper: Purchase the freshest you can find – we use Reel Foods Fish Market in Boise. You will need about 2, 6oz pieces. In a bowl, make an egg wash. Dip each piece of fish in the egg wash and dust lightly with plain fresh bread crumbs. In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, add 2 T olive oil. Gently place the fish in the fry pan and braise for about 5 minutes on each side. They will be a light brown. Do not over cook and do not disturb the cooking process by turning the fish. When the fish is cooked, remove to a platter. Reduce the heat and add 3 cloves of chopped garlic and 1/4 cup chopped red onion. Saute until lightly brown. Do not burn the garlic. Add 1 cup of a good white wine and reduce slightly – a red wine might be to “big” for the lightness of the red snapper. Add 2 T of heavy cream and 1 T butter. Stir constantly as the sauce reduces to about 1/3. Spoon over the fish on the platter. Serve the dinner with a good white wine, riesling or a pinot grigio. Enjoy!